InterContinental Hotels & Resorts continues to pioneer new luxury destinations with the opening of ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort & Spa, which is injected with local design and architecture references throughout…

The opening strengthens the long-term venture with ANA and IHG in Japan and joins more than 200 InterContinental Hotels & Resorts worldwide. Leading the way in luxury, the resort isone of four immersive resorts to open in 2019, with InterContinental Hayman Island Resort opened on 1 July and InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort and InterContinental Phuket Resort opening in September.

“On behalf of IHG and IHG/ANA Japan, we are extremely proud to open the first international luxury hot spring resort and spa in Beppu,” said Hans Heijligers, Head of Japan, IHG, and IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan. “InterContinental has been pioneers in luxury travel for more than 70 years, delivering the allure of the InterContinental Life in all corners of the world. We are delighted to continue bringing the brand’s iconic hospitality, combining international know-how and local wisdom to new destinations as IHG continues to grow its luxury presence across the globe and in Japan.”

Image credit: IHG

Renowned for its rich culture and distinguished local craftsmanship, Beppu lends itself to offering guests rare access into authentic Japanese experiences. As the world’s second largest volume of hot spring water, the onsen tradition is a synonymous part of the guest experience in Beppu. The resort offers two large outdoor onsens, each meticulously designed with the selection and arrangement of Beppu stones selected by skilled masons, and placed to create a waterfall effect as if the hot spring water is overflowing from the mountain.

The private onsen rooms offer a modern onsen experience within an exclusive space complete with a luxurious day bed, bathroom and minimalist design. The heart of the resort is the iconic infinity pool, designed to unite the sky with the view overlooking Beppu’s hot springs below.

“Featured across the resort is work from local artists and craftsmen.”

Elevating the cleansing and healing powers of myobanwater is the resort spa. In partnership with luxury Thai spa brand HARNN, the spa offers a selection of tailor-made treatments and therapies using materials derived from nature, along with rich aroma scent to rejuvenate the mind and body. The spa offers five treatment rooms with private en suites and outdoor garden, and two double massage rooms featuring a jacuzzi made from Japanese cypress.

Imagined by the in-house design team at IHG, the resort shelters a distinct design philosophy, steeped in tradition and inspired by the elements. Featured across the resort is work from local artists and craftsmen, using traditional materials from various parts of Kyushu and local Oita prefecture. Beginning in the resort’s lobby, the soaring space is reminiscent of an art gallery with its high-quality bamboo art work, ancient pottery and wooden furniture with bold designs.

Image credit: IHG

Elsewhere, the 89 guestrooms, including 10 suites, range from a luxurious 62-212 square meters, including large onsen or hot baths, spacious design and an abundance of natural materials for a sense of relaxation. All Suites and Club InterContinental rooms feature private open-air baths on the terrace with views sweeping the Beppu Bay.

Continuing the philosophy of harmonious nature and design, the resort features five restaurants and bars inspired by Japan’s five elements: earth, water, fire, wind and void.

The latest addition to the IHG portfolio proves further its continues its legacy of pioneering luxury travel in emerging destinations.

Interior architecture and design firm Wilson Associates, which this year made it onto Hotel Designs’ 30 Under 30, has unveiled the interiors of a modern hotel located in Japan’s Hokkaido National Park. The Skye Niseko ski resort shelters 100 apartments and five penthouses and is located on a picturesque mountainside with views of the surrounding landscape.

The firm was brought on board to complete the interior design of the five penthouses, lobby, corridors, spa, cafe deli and ski valet at the unique ski-in ski-out hotel.

The luxurious collection of condominiums, which officially opened earlier this year, is a blend of Alpine design and Japanese hospitality and culture. The design firm’s theme of minimalist, monochrome is filtered throughout the interior of the suites.

The privately-owned resort was designed by Australian-based Pike Withers and its shell has been conceived of as two interlocking L-shaped volumes, allowing each of the apartments and penthouses to benefit from both privacy and panoramic views.

Wilson Associates ensured the main lobby had plenty of WOW factor and guests are immediately greeted by a striking reception desk where a rough stone wall surface contrasts with the counter’s sharp and sleek metal immediately greets guests with a WOW factor.

The lighting strategy works in tandem with the bamboo lattices on the walls and slate paving on the floor to make everything in the lobby seem like it’s floating.

The penthouses are organised in arrangements of either three or four bedrooms and come complete with comfortable and cosy living and dining areas. They offer guests the ultimate in luxury and boast covered balconies and heated external spring pools overlooking the stunning landscape.

Image credit: Skye Niseko Ski Resort

Meanwhile, the spa area has been sustainably designed so that its own onsen well draws mineral rich hot water from deep below the property.

The hotel describes itself on its website as: “More than just a place to stay, Skye Niseko has everything you need for your alpine getaway.”

Plans have been approved for an Unbound Collection hotel by Hyatt to be developed at the Fuji Speedway, marking the brand’s entrance into Japan…

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Towa Real Estate Co. Ltd., an affiliate of TOYOTA Group, to develop a 120-key hotel at the Fuji Speedway, Japan’s historic racing circuit.

Slated to open in 2022, the project will be the first in Japan under The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand and the first hotel in the world to be built by Towa Real Estate.

“We are excited to see The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand in Japan for the first time with a project at Fuji Speedway, an iconic destination for motorsports fans across the globe seeking a luxury experience,” said David Udell, group president, Asia-Pacific, Hyatt Hotels Corporation. “As we look to expand Hyatt’s brand footprint in Japan, we are excited to be entering into a management agreement with TOYOTA group company, Towa Real Estate, as it builds its first-ever hotel.”

Hotel amenities will include multiple fine dining restaurants and bars, as well as indoor pool, fitness center, spa and natural onsen hot-spring bathing facilities. The hotel interior will feature a car museum with an innovative presentation of the site’s attractions that showcase the historic significance of Fuji Speedway. Items such as rare historic automobiles and other museum-worthy collections will provide an unconventional experience that guests would expect from The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand.

“It is deeply gratifying and encouraging to us to have been able to enter into this agreement with Hyatt, which has a history of providing exceptional quality and service to guests in a wide range of cities,” said Masao Ukai, president, Towa Real Estate Co. Ltd. “This luxury hotel will be an integral part of a motorsports-themed entertainment area with Fuji Speedway at its core. Together, Motorsports Village and The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand will provide guests with environmentally conscious and unconventional experiences as we aim to make motorsports more accessible and entertaining.”

In the foothills of Mount Fuji, the hotel’s Fuji Speedway location will offer guests convenient access to motorsports events and the upcoming Motorsports Village facility, currently under development by Towa Real Estate in concert with the hotel development.

Situated on the grounds of Fuji Speedway, the hotel will offer unsurpassed views of Mount Fuji, in addition to housing a Motorsports Museum. The site’s immediate proximity to the Oyama Parking Area Smart Interchange, scheduled to open in 2021, will make the hotel’s location accessible to guests arriving from remote areas by car.

The hotel will feature approximately 120 tastefully designed guest rooms and suites of at least 484 square feet (45 square meters) each, a flexible banquet room of 5,381 square feet (500 square meters), and a 2,152 square foot (200 square meter) conference room. These extraordinary facilities will position the hotel as an ideal venue for story-worthy meetings and events.

The Japanese retailer, Muji, opens its first hotel in Japan, Muji Hotel Ginza – and it’s a minimalist’s dream…

Spread over six floors, the 79-key Muji Hotel Ginza designed by UDS has opened as the brand’s first hotel in Japan following the successful openings in Beijing and Shenzhen last year.

Muji Hotel Ginza’s thoughtful design is true to the company’s sustainable principles, using upcycled materials such as flagstone of Tokyo’s tramway from 50 years ago and even the waste materials from ships.

The 79 guestrooms all vary in size and are presented in nine categories. Designed to fill a gap in the market between luxury and mid-scale, the hotel’s interiors are true-to-form minimalist.

Image credit: Muji Hotels

The interiors convey an atmosphere typical of Muji; natural materials, alongside upcycled products with a small number of rooms including traditional Japanese textiles. Fuji Hotel’s pricing structure remains the same throughout the year, regardless of seasons and holidays, which supports the brand’s commitment to fairness and affordable living as the hotel aims to become a base for visitors to enjoy a deeper immersion in Ginza and Japanese culture.

“Great care has been taken to ensure that the room will restore travelers in body and spirit alike,” the hotel’s website states. The mattresses have been designed informed by posture research, while the lighting designed in order to aid sleep quality.

The hotel opens together with the global flagship store Muji Ginza as the “anti-gorgeous, anti-cheap” alternative hotel.

Four Seasons Resort and Private Residences Okinawa, which will shelter 120 guestrooms and suites, is expected to complete in 2023…

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Berjaya Okinawa Development Co. Ltd. (“Berjaya Okinawa”) have announced its new development on the island of Okinawa. The project will debut as part of the development’s master plan as Four Seasons Resort and Private Residences Okinawa.

Comprising a total of 100 acres (more than 40 hectares) of beachfront, the project site is located along the western coast of the island, approximately 31 miles (50 kilometres) northeast of Naha International Airport, with easy access by highway from the airport and close to tourist attractions. The Resort will comprise 30 acres (12 hectares) of the project development land area, with 120 hotel rooms, 120 residences and 40 villas. The project is expected to take approximately four years to complete with a total development cost of USD 400 million and estimated gross development value of USD 1 billion.

“Four Seasons Resort and Private Residences Okinawa is another iconic project in Japan for the Berjaya Group, emulating the success of Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Kyoto, which officially opened in December 2016,” said Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Vincent Tan (“TSVT”), Founder and Executive Chairman of BCorp. “I am sure that with the prestigious Four Seasons branding and management, along with its strategic location in central Okinawa, the hotel will be one of the best on the island of Okinawa.”

“We are proud to continue our successful partnership with Berjaya Group with another exceptional project in Japan, extending our presence in the region and offering both guests and residents more chances to experience Four Seasons,” says Bart Carnahan, Executive Vice President, Global Business Development, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “Together with Berjaya, we will not only create the very finest resort and residences of the highest quality, but will also offer a level of unparalleled service, one that is synonymous with the name Four Seasons around the globe.”

The master plan for Four Seasons Resort and Private Residences Okinawa, including planning and landscape architecture, is developed by internationally renowned landscape architecture and urban design firm EDSA Inc, and world-renowned Japanese architects Kengo Kuma and Kuniken will serve as joint architects of the project. Kengo Kuma’s work has been internationally acknowledged and he was chosen to design Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium for the 2020 Olympic Games recently; and Kuniken is the largest architecture firm in Okinawa.

The vision is to create a destination that portrays the cultural heritage of Okinawa island along with its natural landscape and resources. The Resort will be anchored by a resident beach club nestled on the east side, where guests as well as the homeowners will be able to access the natural beach. Additionally, the low-density layout of the resort will also allow guests and homeowners to access every amenity by foot, bicycles or golf carts. The resort facilities will include an all-day dining restaurant, specialty dining and lounge, retail shops and recreation facilities, as well as public grounds and gardens.

With the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo approaching, hotel design in Japan, with its tech-savy attitude, is enjoying somewhat of a moment. The latest hotel brand to debut in the country is Hyatt Beach Resort, which has just announced the opening of Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island Okinawa.

Located on the private Seragaki Island and linked by a bridge to the main island of Okinawa, the hotel offers a stunning view of the East China Sea from all 344 guestrooms. An immersive destination hotel, Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island Okinawa blends local culture, warm hospitality and thoughtful service, enabling guests to feel refreshed and reconnected to who and what matters to them most.

“We are delighted to celebrate the opening of Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island Okinawa, the first Japanese beach resort in Hyatt’s portfolio and we are grateful for the continuous support from Tokyu Land, NTT Urban Development Corporation and Milial Resort Hotels Co. Ltd.,” said David Udell, group president, Asia-Pacific, Hyatt Hotels Corporation. “With the debut of Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island Okinawa, our 12th Hyatt property in Japan, we are excited to offer guests an energizing seaside retreat in the country’s sunshine isles.”

Image caption: Hyatt Hotels

The breezy, light-filled interiors by Tokyo-based, Hashimoto Yukio Design Studio draw from the hotel’s idyllic waterfront surroundings and the rich traditions of Okinawan culture to create intuitive spaces where guests can connect and recharge. All guestrooms feature mesmerising views sf the crystal clear waters. There are 320 guestrooms housed in a seven-floor building on Seragaki Island, including 71 Regency Club rooms and 16 suites which come with unique privileges such as dedicated check-in and check-out and use of a private lounge.

Suited for families or longer stays, an additional 24 Beach House rooms are located in a three-story building across from the main hotel. These accommodations range from 592 to 807 square feet, and are equipped with full kitchens or pantry-style kitchenettes.

The resort has six banquet venues with ocean views and outdoor terraces that can be configured to range in size from 968 to 1614 square feet to host business retreats and social gatherings. Featuring a glass rooftop and a 32-foot aisle leading toward the ocean, the luminous Seragaki Island Chapel offers an elegant setting for an unforgettable and intimate beachfront wedding for up to 40 guests.

The Hyatt Regency brand than 180 conveniently located Hyatt Regency urban and resort locations in over 30 countries around the world, which serve as the go-to gathering space for every occasion – from efficient business meetings to memorable family vacations.

Real estate giant Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd has inked inked an agreement to open Japan’s first Bvlgari Hotel in the large-scale, mixed-use development planned for the Tokyo Station area.

Bvlgari Hotel Tokyo is scheduled to open at the end of 2022 and will occupy the top seven floors, 39th – 45th, of an ultra-skyscraper planned for construction in the Yaesu 2-Chome North District Category-I Urban Redevelopment Project.

As with other Bvlgari sites the hotel will be designed by the Italian architectural firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel and will be located within walking distance of the Imperial Palace and the shopping areas of both Nihombashi and Ginza. Its proximity to the Tokyo Station and the financial districts of Nihombashi and Marunouchi will make it attractive for business use too.

In addition to the Bvlgari hotel, the tower will also be a high grade mixed-use with offices and retails. The hotel will offer 98 guest rooms in a variety of configurations, mainly twin and double rooms, as well as luxury suites and an ‘extraordinary’ Bvlgari Suite.

Bvlgari Features

The usual Bvlgari features such as Il Bar, Il Ristorante and the fireplace Lounge will all be available for the hotel guests, together with Il Cioccolato store, and a Ballroom including a large outdoor space. A 1,500 sqm Bvlgari Spa will include a state-of-the-art fitness centre and 25-metre indoor pool.

The Bvlgari Hotels and Resorts portfolio currently includes properties in Milan, London, Bali, Beijing and Dubai. New openings are planned in 2018 in Shanghai and in 2020 in Moscow and Paris. Bvlgari Hotel Tokyo will be its ninth property and the first to open in Japan.

Bvlgari CEO Jean Christophe Babin said: “We are extremely proud to be able to announce the Bvlgari Hotel in Tokyo, as it will be another important step for the Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts project. Japan is such a strategic market where Bvlgari as a brand has been present for 30 years. Jewellery and hospitality combine perfectly to meet Bvlgari’s clients expectations of a high level of service not only in our brand stores, but also when staying in our extraordinary properties offering luxury services in an environment which reflects the Bvlgari spirit. In addition, we are particularly honoured to partner on this extremely exciting project with Mitsui Fudosan, one of the leading Japanese companies in real-estate, while our uncompromising Italian contemporary style in hospitality will create a welcome addition and irresistible experience in the upscale Japanese hotel market.”

Ace Hotel Group has partnered with NTT Urban Development Corporation to design and build the Ace Hotel Kyoto, a new cultural hub that will be part of the ShinPuhKan redevelopment.

Designed in part by architect Kengo Kuma, Ace Hotel Kyoto will open in Winter 2019 in an area with a industrial and imperial legacy. The firm says Kuma’s designs will blend new with old, incorporating renovations of the historic building — erected in the mid 1920s as the Kyoto Central Telephone Office — into the new build.

Kuma is known for his work in Japan and abroad, including the Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center in Tokyo, the Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum and the forthcoming Olympic Stadium for the Tokyo 2020 Games. His designs tend to embrace natural materials and light, and create spaces for interaction and comfort.

Connected to Kyoto

“The thought was to create a hotel that is connected to Kyoto and open to the surrounding area,” said Kuma. “To begin with, the proposition was to create a dense garden where communities, as well as the past and the present, are connected to this venerable land with its various gardens, which have existed since the Heian period.

The existing Kyoto central telephone office building was designed by one of the great Japanese modern architects, Tetsuro Yoshida. Through the central courtyard, the red brick building will converse and create a new harmony with a wooden grid system that reminisces traditional Kyoto.

“The integrity of Aneyakoji road and Higashino-toin road was preserved through the delicate use of fine louvers and meshes,” said Kuma. “These louvers and meshes also act as environmental devices, which gently filters light and wind. Furthermore, the concrete was mixed with iron oxide to produce a fine warm color, which cannot be fabricated by paint. Every detail and material was thought through to connect the building, land and history together.”

“It’s been our long-standing dream to put down roots in Japan,” said Brad Wilson, President at Ace Hotel Group. “We feel incredibly humbled and grateful to work with such well-respected and admirable partners as NTT Urban Development Corporation and Kengo Kuma to make our dreams a reality, creating a space that honors the beauty and history of Kyoto while fostering global connection and cultural innovation.”

W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott International, has announced the development of W Osaka in Japan.

Set across 27 floors, the new hotel is expected to open in 2021 and will boast 337 guestrooms and suites, restaurants and cocktail bars.

Under an hour away from Kansai International Airport, W Osaka will be based within the indie boutiques and restaurants of the city.

“In 2020, Japan will capture the global spotlight, welcoming nations from around the world to the country on a grand scale for the 2020 games. This is a great build up to the launch of the first-ever W in Japan,” said Anthony Ingham, global brand leader for W Hotels Worldwide.

“W is always bringing its new/next vision and bold approach to new destinations, especially cities as vibrant and energetic as Osaka. We are confident W Osaka will add even more energy and excitement to this already action-packed year in Japan.”

Inside, guests will also be able to maintain their health and fitness with the Away Spa and fitness centre.

Isami Wada, chairman of Sekisui House, added: “We are excited to add yet another Marriott International property to our portfolio and even more thrilled to be introducing a brand as daring as W to the country.

“It will be an exciting year for Japan, and the W brand will surely offer limitless experiences to those visiting from all corners of the world.”

The new opening joins more than 50 W Hotels currently open globally, including the W Shanghai – The Bund, W Suzhou, W Bellevue and W Goa, as well as the soon-to-open W Panama, W Amman and W Brisbane.

The Luxury Collection has signed IRAPH SUI, a luxury hotel in Okinawa, Japan.

Owned by The Mori Trust Group and slated to open in late 2018, the new island resort will be will be located in the city of Miyakojima, in Okinawa Prefecture and will be the third Luxury Collection hotel in Japan.

The new Luxury Collection resort will be located on an elevated headland on the southwestern coastline of Irabu, a small island in the Miyako Island group, where its 57 guest rooms will enjoy stunning sea views.

In addition to nine suites with private plunge pools, the resort will also feature 10 luxurious Junior suites and one Executive suite. Amenities will include a 72-foot outdoor swimming pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center and spa. IRAPH SUI will also feature an all-day restaurant, a relaxing pool bar and beach club.

Established property and hospitality group with an AsiaPacific focus, Roxy-Pacific Holdings, has announced the acquisition of its second hotel asset in Japan, Tenmabashi Grand Hotel Osaka.

Launched in May 2017, the 154-room Tenmabashi Grand Hotel Osaka is an 8-minute walk away from Tenjibashi shopping street – the longest shopping street in Japan. Nearby tourist hotspots include the Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, Osaka Castle Park, as well as the famous Cherry Blossoms at the Osaka Mint Bureau.

The 9-storey hotel comprising 3,672-square-metres of total floor area will, upon completion of the acquisition in October 2017, be self-managed by the Group’s Noku Roxy hospitality management arm, which currently operates a boutique hotel in Kyoto, Japan – Noku Kyoto.

Through its furnishings and curated list of attractions and F&B offerings in the vicinity, the Noku Roxy brand aims to showcase the best version of the city, as well as hidden gems only visited by the locals. Attention to detail and personalised experiences also create a differentiated stay for guests.

Osaka received a record number of foreign visitors in 2016 exceeding 9.4 million, representing a 31% hike from 20152. The city also boasts one of the highest hotel occupancy rates of any major city in Japan.

Amongst the Noku Roxy hospitality brand asset pipeline includes a 50-villa resort in Maldives, and a separate resort in the Chalong sub-district of Phuket, Thailand, planned for launch in the last quarter of 2017 and 2019, respectively.

This May Small Luxury Hotels of the World is welcoming five new luxury properties to its portfolio. Introducing a brand new eco-certified hotel in Cap Corsica, a newly opened palazzo turned boutique retreat in Rome, a serene forest dwelling in Izu, Japan and a sophisticated retreat wrapped up in bright botanic gardens in Puerto Vallarta.

Le Domaine Misincu: Corsica

Opening June 2017
Due to open in June 2017, set in 35 hectares of natural parks and gardens, Le Domaine Misincu will be the only five-star rated environmentally friendly and eco-certified luxury boutique hotel in the region of Cap Corsica. Highly protected, savage and unspoilt in natural beauty, Cap Corse is the last remaining “wild” part of the island and therefore nicknamed as “the island on the island” which sets its history apart from the rest of the island. Aiming for Corsican modern luxury living at its best, Le Domaine Misincu is an epitomised “barefoot casual luxury” experience with a holistic approach. Contemporary yet traditional in style, the hotel pays homage to Corsican heritage and the outstanding beauty of its natural surroundings coupled with 21st century amenities for today’s luxury leisure travellers. Whether it is the vast range of local products in the F&B outlets, Corsican fabrics, materials and woods to be used for anything interior design or the fleet of Tesla cars available for guests, any stay here is to reflect an authentic Cap Corse experience.

Casa Velas: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Found amidst blooming grounds of tropical flora, the adult-only hotel and ocean club, Casa Velas, sets the scene for a perfect romantic seaside escape. The 80 suites offer guests a private piece of luxury in the botanic gardens and the wooden beams and furniture and earthy tones are inspired by traditional Mexican designs. The hotel is just minutes from the beach, an 18-hole golf course and the buzzing boardwalk of Puerto Vallarta. The treatments at Casa Velas Spa draw on ancient wisdom and local ingredients, with treatment rooms for couples and singles, a hydrotherapy area and beauty salon. The on-site restaurant, Emiliano, is an AAA Four Diamond rated a la carte fine dining restaurant, headed up by one of the area’s leading chefs, serving Mexican and international cuisine. Alternatively guests can opt to take a short stroll to the Ocean Club for Asian-inspired cuisine and cocktails on the beachfront.

Margutta 19: Rome, Italy

Opening July 2017
This brand new Roman boutique hotel will open its doors on July 1 2017. Tucked away on Via Margutta – known locally as ‘the artist’s street’ thanks to famous prior residents such as Picasso and Stravinsky, this elegant palazzo has been given a modern make over. Despite its city location Margutta 19 provides a chic and restful escape, away from the buzz of Rome. The 16 rooms have been styled in gentle shades of sage and ivory, with parquet floors, travertine marble bathrooms, king size beds and Frette linens. Classic and deluxe suites overlook the cobbled Via Margutta and its terracotta buildings, while the Garden Suite comes with its own 43 square metre terrace. Restaurant Assaggia is courtesy of angelo Troiani who serves his own inventive spin on Roman classics, including recipes handed down through generations of the hotel owner’s family.

ABBA Resorts Izu: Izu, Japan

Situated on the stunning Jogasaki coast, ABBA resorts Izu is an intimate, 30 room retreat, featuring an indulgent Neen-spa and three world-class restaurants serving French and Japanese fare. Built in the ryokan style of a traditional inn, the luxurious Abba Resorts Izu, blends seamlessly into its ancient forest backdrop. The resort’s natural garden was created from diverse lava formations and the villas come with their own open-air bath, filled with warm, soothing mineral waters flowing in from the Ukiyama Hot Springs that Izu is known for. The rooms are designed to calm and soothe, with woven tatami straw mats and other natural touches in abundance.

São Lourenço do Barrocal: Monsaraz, Portugal

This 200 year old family run, fully working farm-come-luxury boutique retreat (main picture) seamlessly blends contemporary scandi-style décor with vintage homestead touches. Every element of the hotel celebrates its Alentejo surroundings. Guests can wander the grounds, take a seat in the wooden deck chairs amongst the orange grove, stroll through the wine and vegetable garden, take a dip in the pool or pack up a picnic and cycle to the estates lake. At night guests are invited to enjoy farm-to-table dining at the onsite restaurant, where classic Alentejo flavours are served up using home grown and locally sourced produce alongside the winemakers selection from the onsite vineyard. The 40 rooms, suites and cottages are a tasteful mix of old and new, with white fabrics, wool blankets, carefully selected vintage features and farm views. Certain suites and cottages also come with a private terrace, perfect for star-gazing. A spa by organic Austrian brand Susanne Kaufmann, features an oak wood hot tub and an outdoor pool, as well as a variety of treatments.

Best Western Hotels & Resorts will soon offer travellers to Tokyo another exciting place to stay, with the opening of Best Western Tokyo Nishikasai Grande on April 1, 2017.

The hotel’s 105 rooms – all of which are non-smoking – come in a range of configurations for all types of guest. These include triple rooms, allowing families visiting Tokyo Disneyland to stay together before they catch the complimentary shuttle bus to the theme park’s main entrance.

All rooms also feature international power sockets, USB ports, flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, allowing business travelers to stay connected and leisure visitors to keep in touch with home, including those all-important social media updates.

Corporate guests can use the 24-hour business centre, and all guests will enjoy the exquisite Japanese and international cuisines served at the hotel’s restaurant, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

And visitors wishing to explore the local area will discover a shopping mall and many local restaurants, some of them open 24 hours. Traveling to and from airport is easy too, with buses and trains connecting swiftly toNarita International Airport.

“Japan is one of Best Western’s most important markets, and we are delighted to offer guests yet another excellent hotel in the vibrant capital city, Tokyo,” said Olivier Berrivin, Best Western’s Managing Director of International Operations – Asia.

Best Western Tokyo Nishikasai Grande becomes the company’s third hotel in the Japanese capital city, joining Best Western Rembrandt Hotel Tokyo Machida and Best Western Tokyo Nishikasai, which is located just five minutes away from the new hotel.

Okura Nikko Hotel Management has announced that it will open Hotel JAL City Nagoya Nishiki, the Okura Nikko Hotel’s first property in Nagoya, Japan. The company signed a contract with Enuwan LLC to operate and manage the hotel on January 31.

The 14-storey Hotel JAL City Nagoya Nishiki will offer 216 guest rooms and a choice of queen or Hollywood twin beds. Rooms will average 26 square metres of floor space (ranging between 20m2 and 28m2) with separate shower and bathtub. The hotel will offer modern, convenient and highly functional accommodations.

Hotel JAL City Nagoya Nishiki will be a lifestyle hotel targeted at energetic travelers between their late-20s and early-40s. It will place a special emphasis on satisfying demanding needs, including with a food-and-beverage facility that flexibly offers buffet, open-kitchen and bar options all day long.

InterContinental Hotels Group has announced the opening of Holiday Inn Osaka Namba. This is the fifth Holiday Inn hotel in the brand family in Japan, joining others in Sapporo, Sendai, Kanazawa and Miyazaki. The 314-room Holiday Inn Osaka Namba is located in the heart of Osaka.

Hans Heijligers, Head of Japan, IHG said: “We are delighted to strengthen our brand portfolio in one of Japan’s major cities, Osaka and the opening of Holiday Inn Osaka Namba will bring more choice for our valued guests and nearly 99 million IHG Rewards Club members all over the world. With a tourism boom in Japan, and especially in Osaka, over the last few years, we have also seen a shift in the travelling patterns of international travellers who are now more interested in local experiences than just visiting world famous places or shopping. Travellers can find a variety of local experiences, such as sampling local delicacies and exploring the back streets that are unique to Japan, right here in Osaka.”

With the government’s focus on increasing annual international visitor arrival numbers to 40 million by the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, Japan’s capital city and outlying regions are set to benefit from the tourism boom.

First established in 2006, IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan, a joint venture between IHG and ANA Holdings, is the largest international hotel company in Japan operating a total of 33 hotels across IHG’s three international brands: InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn – supported by the strength of the local ANA brand. There are currently three IHG branded hotels in Osaka – InterContinental Osaka, ANA Crowne Plaza Osaka and Holiday Inn Osaka Namba, catering to both domestic and international guests.

There are currently 1,199 Holiday Inn® hotels open across the globe, with a further 269 hotels due to open in the next three to five years*. Across the Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) region, there are 90 Holiday Inn hotels open and 49 hotels in the pipeline.

In the shadow of Higashiyama Mountain in the temple district of Japan’s ancient capital, Four Seasons Kyoto has opened.

“Kyoto is one of the world’s most alluring cities, but she can be shy in revealing her secrets – our mission at Four Seasons is to help our guests discover her wonders and experience all the city has to offer,” says General Manager Alex Porteous, who leads the 270-person team at the intimate hotel with 123 rooms and 57 residences.

Guest rooms – including 13 suites – are designed by Hirsch Bedner Associates to showcase views of the pond garden, Myoho-in Temple and surrounding neighbourhood. Traditional elements such as shoji panels, polished woods, locally crafted Kyoto-style fusuma screens and urushilacquerware are paired with modern at-one’s-fingertips technologies.

Selected accommodations, including the lavishly appointed Presidential Suite, also have balconies. At 245 square metres indoors plus additional furnished outdoors space, the Presidential Suite is one of Kyoto’s largest. All guest rooms and suites feature the signature Four Seasons Bed.

The new Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto is the sister property of Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi, suggesting an opportunity for travellers to experience the ancient and modern capitals of Japan in Four Seasons style. The company recently announced plans for a third hotel in Japan, in Tokyo’s Otemachi business district.

Managed by Prince Hotels, the distinguished property is situated in the prestigious Kioicho neighbourhood, with interiors by Rockwell Group Europe, and the hotel is the second property part of The Luxury Collection brand to open in Japan, following the debut of Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, in Kyoto last year.

“We are thrilled to open our first luxury hotel in Tokyo with the debut of The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, a market that attracts both business and leisure travellers from across the globe,” said Lothar Pehl, Senior Vice President, Operations and Global Initiatives, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific. “The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho presents indigenous flavours and colourful character within a rich cultural context, further elevating the luxury offerings in Japan’s capital city.”

Designed by Rockwell Group Europe, The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho features a striking contemporary aesthetic inspired by the sprawling sky and kaleidoscopic colours of the surrounding city. Located on the 30th to 36th floors of Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioicho, the hotel features 250 guestrooms, including 11 opulent suites that fuse traditional touches with modern amenities.

For unrivalled dining experiences, the hotel features four unique restaurants and bars, including Oasis Garden, an all-day dining venue with a sky garden setting; Washouku Souten, a Japanese restaurant with a contemporary dining room, sake bar, teppanyaki area, sushi counter and private dining room; Levita Sky Gallery Lounge, a sophisticated lounge serving tea, light snacks and cocktails and illumiid THE BAR, asignaturebar located on the 35th floor distinguished by floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Other facilities include the Kioi spa and fitness centre, operated by Swiss Perfection, which offers a large indoor pool, spa treatments, a sauna, and personal training, as well as a state-of-the-art business centre.

The adjacent Akasaka Prince Classic House, a western-style building completed in 1930 and the former residence of the last crown prince of Korea, is now home to La Maison Kioi, a modern French bistro; and the cosy Bar Napoleon. Preserving the historical ambience with a modern twist, Akasaka Prince Classic House also offers almost 3,000 square feet of an elegant banquet hall that can accommodate up to 140 guests.

“The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho caters to the top tier of Japan’s hospitality market,” said Shigeyoshi Akasaka, President of Prince Hotels, Inc. “We are confident that the hotel’s refined offerings and insightful programming will resonate with seasoned and affluent travellers, providing a fresh perspective from which to enjoy this vibrant city.”

Frasers Hospitality Group has announced a collaboration with Japan’s leading property and real estate developer, Sekisui House, Ltd to open Fraser Suites Tokyo. Redeveloped from an existing 4-storey commercial building, Fraser Suites Tokyo will be a 23-storey building comprising 223-unit premier Gold-standard serviced residence.

The leading real estate developer in Japan, Sekisui House is involved in local and international housing developments, comprehensive urban commercial projects and mixed-use developments. Sekisui House is no stranger to hospitality properties, having collaborated with international hotel brands to launch Ritz Carlton and St Regis in Kyoto and Osaka respectively. With a strong focus and emphasis on environmental sustainability, Sekisui House is a front-runner in incorporating environmental technologies into their developments and the upcoming Fraser Suites Tokyo will be no exception.

Befitting of the Fraser Suites brand, world-renowned Hirsch Bedner Associates have been appointed interior designers of Fraser Suites Tokyo. The interior design will embody touches of sophistication and understated elegance with evident traditional Japanese accents highlighted throughout the property. Fraser Suites Tokyo offers a selection of spacious and luxurious studio apartments and one-bedroom apartments, ranging 35sqm to 60sqm.

Each fully-serviced residence will feature living, dining, and bedroom areas furnished with international quality fittings. A wide comprehensive range of lifestyle facilities provided will include a fully-equipped 24-hour gymnasium, a golf simulator, an alfresco dining restaurant with beer garden and a 140sqm conference and meeting facility. Also available is the signature Retreat, where one can rest and relax amidst a tranquil setting.

Frasers Hospitality Group’s global portfolio, including those in the pipeline, stands at 139 properties and more than 80 cities and 22,800 keys worldwide.

Japanese hotelier Fujita Kanko has opened a new hotel in Okinawa. Hotel Gracery Naha’s building and facility design was carried out by Shimizu Corporation, while interior design was by age co.

Located on Kokusai-dori, in Okinawa’s downtown area, the newly built 198-room hotel is a 15-minute drive from Naha Airport.

The hotel design is said to reflect Okinawa’s ocean. There is a one-of-a-kind “Churaumi Room” that has a high-tech video projection of local underwater footage, including marine species such as manta rays and whale sharks, on its wall. It incorporates touch-video functionality so that touching the wall activates the ocean and fish.

The hotel’s entrance area also has a similar visual effect that gives the impression of guests walking on water. Guestrooms all have separate toilets and bathrooms.

Hotel Gracery Naha is the fifth property in the Hotel Gracery group, following the 2015 opening of Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, a Godzilla-themed hotel in Tokyo. Next, Fujita Kanko plans to open Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo in July.

Set in an 800-year-old traditional garden in Japan’s historic imperial capital, Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto is now accepting reservations in anticipation of its opening in the autumn of 2016.

The all-new hotel is enviably located at the foot of Higashiyama Mountain in the city’s temple district with numerous historic landmarks surrounding it, plus minutes-away access to Kyoto’s tech industries, creative arts and leading educational institutions. Known for its four distinct seasons and the natural beauty that unfolds year round, the city attracts visitors from across the region and around the globe.

“Kyoto is one of the world’s most alluring cities, but she can be shy in revealing her secrets – our mission at Four Seasons is to help our guests discover her wonders and experience all the city has to offer,” says General Manager Alex Porteous, who has returned to Japan to open the brand’s second location in addition to the acclaimed Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi.

The light-filled Hotel affords breath-taking views in every direction, from the neighbouring Kiyomizu-dera Temple to its own five acre (two hectare) pond and gardens. Inside, guests will find 123 guest rooms and suites plus 57 residences decorated in traditionally-inspired yet contemporary style by Hirsch Bedner Associates. Four dining options include an exclusive sushi restaurant, a modern brasserie, lounge and a lovely garden tea house. An intimate spa is adjacent to a shimmering indoor pool.

Destined to become Kyoto’s preferred address for glamorous weddings, social occasions and prestigious business functions, the Hotel’s flexible event spaces include an exquisite, one-of-a-kind chapel.